Brook Turner, Visionwest’s Head of Service Development and Partnerships, has a monthly slot on Rhema where he speaks for ten minutes at a time on issues related to poverty and community needs, and the answers social support services can provide. Visionwest appreciates the help and generosity of Rhema who produced and supplied these podcasts.
The issue of poverty amongst the elderly in our communities is growing rapidly. By 2028, the number of people 65 and over will reach one million. At present, 300,000 retirees are renters. By 2058, half of all retirees will be renting. This, coupled with the rising cost of living, is already having a severe impact on the living standards of many older New Zealanders. Brook talks about the issue of elder poverty today and in the years to come.
In the same week as a petition calling for a strategy and proactive action to address and work towards ending youth homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand was presented to Parliament, Brook talks about the ramifications of young people being without safe and dry housing; and shares the inspirational story of an amazing young wahine who is a part of Visionwest’s Whare Hiwa programme.
Brook speaks about “winter pain points” and how, for many New Zealanders, life becomes a lot tougher in winter, largely due to increased home expenses. This means many whānau must make difficult choices such as, “Do I heat my home, or do I buy food for my children?” or “Do I buy my children new winter coats because, if I do, I can’t pay my rent this week?” Included is a real life example of a whānau who are in fulltime employment but must still make these sorts of decisions.
Brook speaks about the challenges many youth in Aotearoa New Zealand face when looking to step away from their experience of housing insecurity or homelessness and Visionwest’s response to youth housing. Brook has a master’s degree in Applied Practice (Social Practice). His thesis investigates the issue of homelessness amongst rangatahi (young people) while examining possible answers to what is a serious issue in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Brook examines the value of social support that leads to the transformation of lives and communities and the danger of support that is merely transactional in nature.